Amid escalating economic crises, many young Yemenis find themselves compelled to seek job opportunities in Saudi Arabia, which is considered one of the few countries offering job stability. However, the cost of the journey to Saudi Arabia is around 2500 dollars, an amount that exceeds the financial capacity of most Yemenis.
Ahmed, a 35-year-old chef, hoped to travel to Saudi Arabia to work in a restaurant, but he lacked the necessary funds for a visa or a Saudi sponsor. By the end of 2024, Ahmed decided to enter Saudi Arabia illegally and began working in a restaurant in Jazan, but he was deported twice by Saudi authorities.
Details of the Event
More than 1.8 million Yemenis live legally in Saudi Arabia, making them the fourth largest immigrant community in the kingdom. During his first journey to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed traveled with khat smugglers, witnessing the dangers faced by smugglers and individuals attempting to cross the border illegally.
Ahmed decided to engage in khat smuggling, a stimulant classified as an illegal drug in Saudi Arabia. The penalty for smuggling khat can reach up to 15 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 5 years, in addition to a fine of up to 20,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately 5,330 dollars).
Background & Context
Under certain circumstances, the penalty can escalate to the death penalty in case of repeat offenses. Ahmed was fully aware of the risks, having heard stories of Yemenis killed while smuggling khat, but he was encouraged to take the risk after several men from his village returned successfully.
Ahmed spent four months smuggling khat and returned with substantial money, allowing his family to live like the wealthy for two months. He then decided to return to gather more money to buy a house. However, his luck ran out quickly, as his wife received the devastating news that the border had become Ahmed's grave, as he was shot by Saudi border guards while attempting to cross.
Impact & Consequences
Ahmed was not alone; many Yemenis have turned to khat smuggling as a means of survival. Khalid, a 45-year-old, made the same decision after seeing others succeed through this risky venture. Khalid states that the journey is considered a "death trip" requiring immense physical strength and experience, as smugglers sometimes have to walk over 20 kilometers carrying up to 40 kilograms of khat on their backs.
Despite the risks, the income from khat smuggling is significant compared to available opportunities in Yemen. Khalid mentions that he worked as a laborer for a major smuggler, earning 5000 Saudi Riyals for each successful smuggling operation.
Regional Significance
The phenomenon of khat smuggling into Saudi Arabia is a direct result of the deteriorating economic situation in Yemen, where over 22.3 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. More than a decade of conflict, severe economic collapse, funding shortages, and climate shocks have left millions without access to food, healthcare, and clean water.
Experts assert that khat smuggling is not a new phenomenon, but it has become more prevalent recently due to the increasing number of people choosing to take risks instead of engaging in fighting, which remains one of the few available sources of income.
Wafa states that the economic crisis drove her husband to smuggle khat, but nothing in life is worth such a sacrifice. "The days we spent together when we had one meal a day were far better than these days without him," she adds.